Warning device



y 9, 1967 A. A. PADILLA 3,318,279

WARNING DEVICE Filed Oct. 23, 1965 INVENTOR ANDREW A. PADILLA United States Patent ()fiice 3,318,279 Patented May 9, 1967 3,318,279 WARNING DEVICE Andrew A. Padilla, 92 Edgewood Drive, Orangeburg, N.Y. 10962 Filed Oct. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 503,101 Claims. ((11. 11663) My invention relates to a warning device and more particularly, to a novel warning device for disabled vehicles.

An ever present hazard on our Nations highways is the disabled vehicle. Too often, the presence of the disabled vehicle cannot be readily detected by an approaching motorist. Many devices which signal or warn the approaching motorist are currently available but few, if any, are completely effective. Many of the devices are too large or bulky to be stored in the automobile. Others, although compact, are either too expensive or more importantly, too small to be seen from a distance. Still other devices such as a flare, may only be used once and thus are not sufficiently economical for the average motorist. Flashing devices, probably the most common type of Warning device employed, are quite effective in that they can be seen easily, particularly at night. However, flashing devices depend upon batteries and a number of other moving parts for successful operation and the possibility of an inoperative device due to drained batteries or breakdown of other parts is an important factor to be considered. Furthermore, although flashing devices can readily be seen at night, they usually cannot be identified until the passing motorist is relatively close to the disabled vehicle. Since the flashing device is necessarily small, placing it on the ground is generally ineffective and this can be particularly disadvantageous if the disabled vehicle is hidden by curves in the roadway.

It is therefore the primary object of my invention to provide a warning device for disabled vehicles which may readily be detected at a great distance at night or in daylight.

Another object of this invention is to provide a warning device which is compact, portable and inexpensive.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a warning device which is capable of continuous rotation during operation without the use of a complex power source.

A further object of this invention is to provide a warning device which is capable of continuous rotation and may also be converted to an attractive roadside sign.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the warning device of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a partial perspective view of the device of the invention with the slats only partly opened; and

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view of a cap clip which may be employed in the embodiment of FIGURE 1.

Broadly, the warning device of the invention comprises a relatively rigid rod, a plurality of slats connected to the rod, means whereby the slats are capable of being individually and selectively positioned about the periphery of the rod, and means whereby the slats are capable of being continuously rotated. Base means may also be preferably attached to the rod, if desired. The slats may be assembled in any desired configuration as will hereinafter be further described. By the term slats connected to the rod as used herein is meant that the slats are attached to the rod either directly or 'by interconnecting means.

The invention may be more readily understood by referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIG- URE 1 which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, a warning device 10 comprises a rod 12 and a plurality of slats 14, 15, 16, 17. The slats are rotatably secured to the rod 12 by means such as a spiral 19 and cap clips 18, 20. A flange 22 provides a seat for bearing (not shown) and the cap clip 20. A base 24 having a belt 26 attached thereto through slots 33, 35 is detachably secured to the rod at one end. Also attached to the rod 12 are magnets 28, 29. The base 24 may also include light means 30, 31.

The device illustrated in FIGURE 1 is easily and quickly assembled. The rod 12 can be joined at the joint 46 and secured to the base 24 in any suitable mechanical connection such as an interference fit relationship. The spiral 19 having the slats 14-17 attached can be placed over the rod and on the cap clip 20 which is at rest on the bearing (not shown) and the flange 22. Cap clip 18 may then be rotatably secured to the rod 12 by inserting the extended member (illustrated by the number 38 in FIGURE 2) into a bearing within the rod 12. The particular configuration desired, i.e., 3 slat y, 4 slat cross, 5 slat star etc. can be readily accomplished by individually rotating each slat to a desired position and securing the slats at those positions selected by fitting the top and bottom of each slat into appropriate clips 36, 44 in the cap clips 18, 20 respectively. The slats are then free to rotate with the wind as the power source since the spiral and the cap clips are rotatably mounted to the rod. It is readily apparent that only a slight breeze is required to continuously rotate the device, particularly since the device is adaptable to be used with wind of almost any intensity by placing a proper number of slats in a suitable configuration. In the unlikely event that there is no wind or breeze at the time the disabled motorist wishes to use the device of the invention, it can be employed as an attractive roadside sign as illustrated in FIGURE 3.

The device of the invention is particularly attractive when the slats are spinning in the wind. Bright colors may be applied to each of the slats, thereby further enhancing the appearance of the device. It will be appreciated that the warning device can be seen at a considerable distance in the daylight, even if placed on the ground. The device is also most useful at night since it can be detected perhaps even better than in the daylight. It is most obvious that the slats may be coated with a luminescent material which enables it to reflect light from headlights or otherwise and such a coating is greatly preferred. To depend on headlights, however, means that the oncoming motorist will be only a few hundred feet away before his headlights will provide light for the device. The preferred embodiment of my invention therefore includes lighting means of one type or another attached to the device. As an example, the base 24 may have light means 30, 31 attached thereto as shown in FIGURE 1. The light from the light means 30, 31 can easily illuminate the 3 slats and so be visible at a great distance at night. As another example, a bracket 37 (illustrated in FIGURE 3) may be secured to the rod 12 and a flashlight 39 or other light means may be positioned in the bracket so as to throw its light on the slats.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, the cap clip 18 comprises a plurality of clips 36 and an extended member 38 which is positioned in the bearing 40. The bearing 40 is secured within the upper part of the rod 12 and enables the cap clip 18 to rotate with respect to the rod. Cap clip 20 is positioned over the bearing 42 which is preferably a thrust bearing, and the bearing 42 is partially supported by the flange 22 Clips 44 are attached to the cap clip 20. The rod 12, is joined at the joint 46 in a suitable connection such as a press fit between sections 48, 50. The base 24 includes a lighting configuration comprising light means 30, 31. The light meansinclude bulbs 50-, 52, batteries 54, and switch 56 suitably interconnected by various conductive brackets as illustrated.

The light means 30, 31, may be colored either the same or different colors so as to further attract the motorists attention. Furthermore, means may readily be provided to cause each light means 30, 31.to alternately and automatically flash on and off while in use. It is to be noted that switch 56 is supplied so as to turn on the light means initially and to turn them off when not in use. An interesting feature of the device is that under proper conditions, the rod 12 may be separated from the base 24 and inserted into the soft ground or attached to the car by magnets 28, 29. The base may then be placed so as to face the oncoming motorist while simultaneously flashing its light onto the spinning slats. In this manner, it appears that two separate warning devices are attracting the motorists attention and the effect is extremely noticeable at great distances at night.

It is to be noted that although the base 24 appears to be large and bulky, it is preferably small so that it may easily be stored. The size can be reduced by placing the light means elsewhere on the device. If the base is properly designed it could be made of a lightweight material and still provide proper balance. Then too, the device of the invention is quite effective with no base at all.

My warning device can be secured near or on the car in any number of ways. As shown in FIGURE 1 a belt 26 may be placed on the base 24. The belt may be used to secure the device to a car bumper or any stationary object, In addition, the belt may be used to attach the device to the motorist himself while he is attempting to repair the damage or replace a tire. If the belt 26 is not used the device can attach to the car by means of the magnets 28, 29. Of course, the device can be placed on the ground provided there is sufiicient weight and balance in the base member and provided there are no extremely high winds. The rod which is preferably tapered at its lower end, may be inserted into the ground if the ground is soft enough.

Referring to FIGURE 3, only one slat 17 is separated from the group of slats which may be held together by clip 58 or by clips in the cap clip 18. As illustrated, the slat 17 is positioned in substantially the same plane as the slat 14. In this manner, an attractive sign is produced. A statement such as WARNING or DISABLED VE- HICLE can conveniently be placed on the slats 17 and 14 as shown in FIGURE 3, thereby providing an unmistakable warning to oncoming motorists.

A better understanding of one way in which the slats may be rotatably secured to the rod can be obtained by referring to FIGURE 4 which illustrates a typical cap clip. The cap clip ,60 includes a plurality of clips 62, 64, 66. The clips, which may be made of any sturdy material, are spaced so as to provide a wide range of positions in which to place the slats. Each clip has an end area e.g., 68 on clip 62, upon which the slat is supported. Any number of clips (or slats) may be employed, it being practical to have approximately twice as many clips as there are slats so that a wide variety of positions are available. The clips may be attached to the cap clip by brazing, or if a suitable material such as plastic is used, by a molding process.

The device of the invention can be almost any size and be effective. This is true because many of the ways of securing the device to a stationary object virtually eliminate the wind intensity as a factor. Of course, if the device is placed on the ground, size is a factor because of high winds. But if the wind is too great at any time, the device can be easily secured to the automobile. A rod of about four feet in height having slats about eight inches by twelve inches is quite suitable. Larger or smaller sizes of either rod or slats may be used. The slats should be fairly thin and light in weight to be easily moved by the wind. A plastic slat of about inch thickness is quite suitable. Fiberglas or just about any lightweight metal, such as aluminum are also satisfactory. A slat thickness of less than /8 inch is preferable, but greater than A; inch is also successful.

The rod is preferably rigid and can be made of any suitable material such as plastic, aluminum, etc. In fact, with proper design, the entire device can be fabricated from one material such as plastic or aluminum.

There are many ways to modify my invention without changing the basic concept and such ways will be obvious to one who attempts to use or manufacture the device. For example, rotation of the slats in the wind may be accomplished by causing the upper portion 48 of the rod 12 to rotate with respect to the lower portion 50. This can be achieved by eliminating bearings 40, 42 and adding a bearing at the joint 46. Furthermore, a plurality of rotating rings may form a part of the rod 12 and the slats may be each secured to a separate ring with the same effect as is achieved by the device of the invention.

It will be appreciated that the device of the invention is easily stored in the trunk of an automobile or in similar storage places. Because of the small number of parts, the device may be assembled in just a few seconds. Alternatively, it may be partially pre-assembled and still require a minimum of storage space.

I claim:

1. A wind driven device comprising, in combination:

(a) A rigid rod;

(b) a spiral member positioned concentric with said rod and being of such a diameter as to be capable of rotation with respect to said rod;

(c) a plurality of slats, each of said slats having a plurality of holes proximate one edge thereof, said spiral member being intertwined in said holes whereby said slats are individually positionable about the periphery of said spiral member;

(d) an upper cap clip and a lower cap clip, each cap clip having a plurality of clips depending therefrom;

(e) means for rotatably securing said upper cap clip to said rod;

(f) means for rotatably securing said lower cap clip to said rod;

said slats being fixed in selected positions about the periphery of said spiral member by engaging said clips in said upper and lower cap clips, said positioned slats, said clips and said spiral member being rotated together about said rod by said wind.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein a base member is secured to said rod to provide support means for said warning device.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein a light means, a switch for activating said light means, and a power source for supplying illumination to said light means when said switch activates said light means, are secured to said base member, said light means being positioned so as to project said illumination on said slats.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein means for magnetically securing said rod in a stationary position is attached to said rod.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein illumination means are secured on said rod and positioned so as to project illumination on said slats.

References Cited by the Examiner 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS 574,411 1/1897 Gassett 4039 945,629 1/1910 Spoor 116175 1,791,616 2/1931 Duclos 40-72 1,794,677 3/1931 Dunwody 40-39 10 Walroth et a1. 11663 Ralston et a1 40-102 Lieutard 116--173 Bishop et a1 116-173 Friedman 40-102 Roemisch 40 39 Meade 116-173 Anderson 4039 LOUIS J. CAPOZI, Primary Examiner. 

1. A WIND DRIVEN DEVICE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A RIGID ROD; (B) A SPIRAL MEMBER POSITIONED CONCENTRIC WITH SAID ROD AND BEING OF SUCH A DIAMETER AS TO BE CAPABLE OF ROTATION WITH RESPECT TO SAID ROD; (C) A PLURALITY OF SLATS, EACH OF SAID SLATS HAVING A PLURALITY OF HOLES PROXIMATE ONE EDGE THEREOF, SAID SPIRAL MEMBER BEING INTERTWINED IN SAID HOLES WHEREBY SAID SLATS ARE INDIVIDUALLY POSITIONABLE ABOUT THE PERIPHERY OF SAID SPIRAL MEMBER; (D) AN UPPER CAP CLIP AND A LOWER CAP CLIP, EACH CAP CLIP HAVING A PLURALITY OF CLIPS DEPENDING THEREFROM; (E) MEANS FOR ROTATABLY SECURING SAID UPPER CAP CLIP TO SAID ROD; (F) MEANS FOR ROTATABLY SECURING SAID LOWER CAP CLIP TO SAID ROD; SAID SLATS BEING FIXED IN SELECTED POSITIONS ABOUT THE PERIPHERY OF SAID SPIRAL MEMBER BY ENGAGING SAID CLIPS IN SAID UPPER AND LOWER CAP CLIPS, SAID POSITIONED SLATS, SAID CLIPS AND SAID SPIRAL MEMBER BEING ROTATED TOGETHER ABOUT SAID ROD BY SAID WIND. 